Thomas & Betts Reznor Research + Development Facility

Thomas & Betts’ Reznor Brand, located in Mercer, Pennsylvania, is a leading producer of natural gas heating units for heating commercial and industrial spaces. As a fixture in the community for well over a century, Reznor is the oldest continually-operating manufacturing facility in Mercer County, having begun production in 1888.

Faced with financial challenges resulting from the economic downturn, the Mercer facility appeared targeted for closure – with all jobs likely relocated to other existing T&B plants, most outside of the country. In fact, after working with the area’s economic development agencies and exploring options for expansion on site or locating to alternative sites, the company was weeks away from making the decision to close the Mercer plant.

Fortunately, the company reached out to the Wesex Corporation. And after assessing the company’s needs, including the exciting prospect of a new research and development facility, Wesex was an instrumental leader in securing $2.5 million under the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to support the endeavor. The project also included demolishing a 112,000 square foot, 4-story manufacturing building, adding 29,000 square feet of new manufacturing space (3 buildings), and an 8,000 square foot psychometric test lab facility.

Thomas and Betts Reznor not only remains in operation in Mercer, the future of the plant has never been brighter. The Mercer plant now boasts Thomas and Betts’ only world-class Global Engineering Center, allowing the company to not only retain its existing jobs, but to add new higher paying jobs as well.

This project was awarded the 2013 Industrial Development Award / PA Commonwealth Award by 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth awards recognize the impact of "smart growth" projects across the state and the people who make them happen. “Projects are selected based on their economic and environmental impact, and the Wesex Corporation team achieved both with the Reznor project—demonstrating aggressiveness and creativity in keeping this important company in PA,” said Jack Machek, President and CEO of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania.